Game device



Dec. 31, 1940. L. J. DAY 2,227,248

GAME DEVICE Filed May 14, 1940 1TH #1 I 1N VENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to games and has particular reference to a game device which, while not necessarily restricted thereto, is in the nature of a dice receptacle which is so constructed that when the same is spun upon a table or other member defining a horizontal surface, it automatically inverts itself and ejects the dice therefrom, preferably beneath the inverted dice receptacle.

The invention broadly comprehends a game device which includes a bowl-shaped receptacle adapted to receive one or more faceted members having distinguishing indicia on the faces thereof and which receptacle presents an exterior contour which functions when the same is spun on a horizontal surface to invert itself and eject the faceted members therefrom.

More particularly the invention resides in the provision of a bowl-shaped receptacle of the indicated character which is provided adjacent its upper open end with an internal annular inwardly directed shoulder which serves to prevent the ejection of the faceted members by centrifugal force and retains the same within the receptacle until it is completely inverted so that the receptacle covers the ejected members.

More specifically the invention comprehends a bowl-shaped receptacle of circular form in plan and of substantially semi-elliptical configuration in cross section with the upper open end disposed in a plane with or parallel to the major axis of the ellipse.

Other objects of the invention reside in the provision of a game device which is comparatively simple in its construction and mode of operation and which is highly amusing and attractive.

With the above enumerated and other objects in view, the invention is set forth in greater detail in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the dice receptacle in upright position illustrating the inital spinning action.

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the spinning receptacle as the same initially inclines.

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating the spinning receptacle immediately prior to its inversion.

Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating the same completely inverted and resting on the supporting surface.

Fig. 5 is a. transverse sectional view taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a. sectional view taken approximately on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference, A designates generally the bowl-shaped receptacle and B a pair of dice, although it is to be understood that any equivalent faceted members having identifying indicia on the faces thereof may be employed in lieu of the dice and that one or more of said members may be utilized.

The bowl A may be constructed of any suitable material and is of circular form in plan. In vertical cross section, the receptacle is of substantially semi-elliptical formation with the lower convex portion ll] generated by a curve of greater radius than the radius of the curve ll defining the convex peripheral portion with the open upper edge [2 in a plane parallel to and preferably 15 slightly above the major axis of the ellipse, the portion l3 between said major axis and the upper edge defining a substantially hollow cylindrical rim. As illustrated, the receptacle is provided with an internal inwardly directed annular shoulder l4 adjacent the upper edge l2 and preferably located on the transverse axis of the ellipse.

In use, the dice or equivalent faceted members B, are placed within the bowl and the same is initially spun on a horizontal surface C in an upright position. The rotation of the receptacle combined with the elliptical exterior surface contour causes the same to gradually tilt from the upright position shown in Fig. 1 to the ,position 30 shown in Fig. 2, thence to the position shown in Fig. 3 and to finally gravitate to a fully inverted position with the open end resting on the surface C, thereby ejecting the dice or equivalent faceted elements B onto said surface. ning operation and the final ejection of the dice from the receptacle, it will be understood that the dice will be thoroughly agitated to prevent any opportunity of a participant setting the dice for a predetermined combination.

40 It will also. be understood that the shoulder M will preclude the ejection of the dice or members B from the receptacle until the final inversion of the receptacle so that the dice will be covered by the receptacle after its inversion.

What is claimed is:

1. A game device including a circular bowlshaped receptacle of semi-elliptical formation in vertical cross section defining a convex bottom surface merging into a convex annular side wall 50 of a greater curvature than the bottom surface, and an annular inwardly directed shoulder adjacent the upper open end of the receptacle, said receptacle adapted to receive a faceted member having identifying indicia on the faces there- 5 During the spin- 35 of so that the exterior surface contour of said receptacle effects when the same is spun upon a horizontal surface, an inversion of the same and the ejection of the faceted member upon said surface beneath the receptacle.

2. A game device including a bowl-shaped receptacle adapted to receive one or more faceted members having identifying indicia on the faces thereof, said receptacle being of circular formation in horizontal section and having a substantially semi-elliptical formation in vertical section with the exterior convex bottom surface generated by a curve of greater radius than the radius of the curve defining the exterior convex peripheral surface so that when the receptacle is spun upon a horizontal surface, it will be automatically inverted to eject the faceted members therefrom.

3. A game device including a bowl-shaped receptacle adapted to receive one or more faceted members having identifying indicia on the faces thereof, said receptacle being of circular formation in horizontal section and having a substantially semi-elliptical formation in vertical section with the exterior convex bottom surface generated by a curve of greater radius than the radius of the curve defining the exterior convex peripheral surface so that when the receptacle is spun upon a horizontal surface, it will be automatically inverted to eject the faceted members therefrom, and an annular inwardly directed shoulder adjacent the upper open end of the receptacle for preventing ejection of the faceted members by centrifugal force and to permit of their ejection only when the receptacle is completely inverted.

4. A game device including a bowl-shaped receptacle open at the upper end and adapted to receive faceted members having identifying indicia on the faces thereof, said bowl-shaped receptacle being of circular form in plan and of substantially semi-elliptical formation in vertical cross section with the upper open end disposed in a plane parallel to the major axis of the ellipse so that when the same is spun on a horizontal surface it is automatically inverted to eject the faceted members therefrom, and means within said receptacle for preventing the ejection of the faceted members by centrifugal force and for permitting of their ejection therefrom only when the receptacle is completely inverted.

5. A game device including a bowl adapted to receive one or more faceted members having identifying indicia on the faces thereof, said bowl being of circular form in plan and of substantially semi-elliptical formation in vertical cross section with the upper open end disposed in a plane parallel to the major axis of the ellipse.

LOUIS J. DAY. 

